It has to be concerning that the Pell City Council continues to approve actions with little discussion and even less public input.

But that was the case again Monday when the council adopted the budget for the new fiscal year, which begins Thursday.

It is in sharp contrast to the budget talks and work sessions held in nearby Talladega and Sylacauga. For months, budget items have been discussed and debated in those cities in public sessions, allowing not only the council to consider every aspect, but giving the public time to digest what will and won’t be in the FY10 budget.

Talladega Council members passed the budget, too, Monday night. But it wasn’t without much discussion leading up to its passage.

Sylacauga’s budget has not been passed because members are wrangling over specific allocations. Sylacauga, too, has had months of public discussion.

And no matter what side you’re on, it should be viewed as a good thing that the talks are out in the open so that all know what to expect.

Sadly, that is not happening in Pell City. A final budget was presented in a work session Thursday with little discussion, and members were asked to put their OK on it by Monday.

Two members — Greg Gossett and Dot Wood — had reservations and voted “no.” Gossett said the need for more discussion and public input was evident, and Wood wanted time to make line item changes.

But the budget issue went through despite those reservations and will be left to amendments when a final product — a little delayed, but thoroughly discussed and agreed to — might have avoided the amendment process.

Pell City’s mayor and council need to slow down a bit. Hurried actions with minimal discussion tend to leave the public out of the equation.

And that just shouldn’t be.